Apparatus and methods using acoustic telemetry for intrabody communications

Abstract

Systems and methods provide intrabody communication using acoustic telemetry. The system includes a first or control implant including a first acoustic transducer, and a second implant including a switch and a second acoustic transducer coupled to the switch. The second acoustic transducer receives acoustic signals from the first acoustic transducer for closing the switch to activate the second implant. The second implant may include a sensor for measuring a physiological parameter that is transmitted using acoustic signals including the physiological data to the first implant. For example, the second implant may measure pressure in the patient's heart that may be used by the first implant to control a pacemaker. Alternatively, the second implant may blood sugar concentration that may be used by the first implant to control an insulin pump. Alternatively, the first implant may store and transfer the data to an external device for monitoring the patient.

We claim: 
     
       1. A system for communicating within a patient's body, comprising:
 at least one implantable sensor adapted to be placed within a blood vessel of a patient, the at least one implantable sensor including an electrical energy source and an acoustic transducer configured for acoustic communication with a receiver, wherein the at least one implantable sensor further includes an acoustic switch circuit that is configured to activate the at least one implantable sensor in response to receiving an acoustic signal from an acoustic energy source, wherein the acoustic signal causes the acoustic transducer to form a voltage pulse that is conveyed to the acoustic switch circuit, and wherein the acoustic switch circuit closes, when the voltage pulse exceeds a threshold, to allow current to flow from the electrical energy source, thereby activating the at least one implantable sensor; 
 a control implant adapted to be implanted in the patient, the control implant including an acoustic transducer configured for acoustic communication with the at least one implantable sensor; and 
 wherein the at least one implantable sensor is coupled to a fixation element adapted to secure the sensor within the blood vessel. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one implantable sensor includes an actuator. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one implantable sensor includes one or more sensors each adapted to measure a physiological parameter within the body. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more sensors includes a pressure sensor. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is an external receiver located outside of the body. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control implant further includes a transmitter and/or receiver for communicating with one or more external devices in communication with the control implant. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic energy source is the control implant. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic energy source is an external device. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fixation element is a stent. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic transducer for the control implant is coupled to a lead. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic transducer for the control implant is coupled to a control housing of the control implant. 
     
     
       12. A system for communicating within a patient's body, comprising:
 at least one implantable sensor adapted to be placed within a blood vessel of a patient, the at least one implantable sensor including an electrical energy source, electrical circuitry configured to control an operation of the at least one implantable sensor, and an acoustic transducer configured for acoustic communication with a receiver, wherein the at least one implantable sensor further includes an acoustic switch that is configured to allow an electrical current to flow from the energy source to the electrical circuitry in response to receiving an acoustic signal, thereby activating the at least one implantable sensor; and 
 a control implant adapted to be implanted in the patient, the control implant including an acoustic transducer configured for acoustic communication with the at least one implantable sensor.